An Open to Hilary Clinton, the Secretary of State about the worsening conditions in the Ocaden

[Che -Guevara]

http://hiiraan.com/2011/May/******,Ethiop_lettertoClinton_05.23.11.pdf

[Che -Guevara]

Seriously, SOL need to stop censoring the word Ocaden

 

The link is not working as result of this censorship but the letter is posted on Hiiraan.

[SayidSomal]

if it was Ogadeenland - do you think it would still be censored?

[Che -Guevara]

US Senators write to Secretary of State Mrs. Hillary Clinton

 

The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20520

 

Dear Madam Secretary:

We remain deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation and human rights abuses being committed in the ****** region of southeastern Ethiopia. The region is facing a severe drought and we fear the situation will worsen if steps are not taken to help protect innocent civilians.

 

Millions of Ethiopians are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance. The past year’s lack of adequate rainfall and the current drought has resulted in severe water shortages, increasing the likelihood of displacement, mass migration, and complications from the scarcity of clean water, such as cholera. Despite the increasing humanitarian need, the international community has been unable to provide adequate assistance due to insecurity in the region and ongoing hostilities between the Government of Ethiopia and the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF).

 

The ongoing conflict in the ****** has had a devastating impact on innocent civilians. Serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have been committed by all sides, including extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, abductions, arbitrary arrest and detention, and even entire communities being displaced. The Government of Ethiopia has taken a series of steps to clampdown on opposition forces, including use of force and human rights violations. The State Department’s 2010 Report on Human Rights Practices in Ethiopia detailed incidences of human rights abuses committed by Ethiopian security forces, including police and local militia.

 

Since the launching of their counterinsurgency campaign in 2007, the Government of Ethiopia has restricted access of diplomats, humanitarian workers, and journalists into the ****** region to prevent reporting of human rights abuses by government forces. Furthermore, movement restrictions have made independent verification of the population’s needs extremely difficult. Just this month, Foreign Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn refused to accept the findings of the 2010 Report on Human Rights in Ethiopia, stating there was “no need to accept this report as something that can help.” The Government of Ethiopia is not demonstrating genuine willingness to help alleviate this humanitarian crisis.

 

We understand the valuable strategic relationship that the United States has with the Government of Ethiopia. But the United States also has a responsibility to promote good governance and human rights in Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s role as a security partner cannot come at the expense of the most fundamental human rights and humanitarian norms, including the right to live free from harm, freedom of movement and freedom of association.

 

As such, we respectfully request that you urge the Ethiopian Government to reopen the ****** region to independent organizations, including humanitarian ones, to assess and monitor the humanitarian situation. We also ask that you keep us informed on U.S. efforts to help bring about a resolution to this ongoing conflict and to urge the Ethiopian Government to hold accountable any military officials complicit in these abuses.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your tireless work to ensure that all people are able to enjoy their fundamental human rights.

 

Sincerely,

 

Barbara Boxer / United States Senator

 

Benjamin L. Cardin / United States Senator

Dick Durbin / United States Senator

Patrick Leahy / Senator United States Senator

 

Kent Conard / United States Senator

Jeff Merkley / United States Senator

[Taleexi]

Che -Guevara;722876 wrote:

Seriously, SOL need to stop censoring the word Ocaden

 

The link is not working as result of this censorship but the letter is posted on Hiiraan.

I second that.

[Che -Guevara]

Hear Hear

[SayidSomal]

Sayid*Somal;722881 wrote:

if it was Ogadeenland - do you think it would still be censored?

Obviously not!

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

I think this will fall into deaf ears

[Che -Guevara]

SS-You know just quoted urself and answered ur own question:confused:

[Abokor Omar]

Che you want to create a system so that some qabils can be named and not others. Behave yourself, the rules are stated and apply to all with no exception..

[The Zack]

SOL owners are trying to be politically correct, Che. The whole world calls the region by its name and I think SOL is a bit confused here. Regardless, it is what it is.

 

That is why I don't post much about oga'den on here but you can use tinyurl.com if you want to.

[Jacpher]

Che- you should have improvised and added a small comment, replace the ***** with ocean.

 

How many of these letters make it to the state department?

[Che -Guevara]

I forget about URL shortener

 

Letter to the State Department

 

Jacpher-you can't get creative with URL.

 

Abokor-the rules doesn't apply to Somalis. However, you being from another country must respect our rules.